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TENNENT'S/UGAAWA MERIT AWARD FOR DECEMBER '04
Setting records is nothing
new to AISLING REILLY and today she sets another one. Aisling
becomes the youngest ever winner of our Tennent's Monthly Merit
Award as she receives the honour for December 2004.
Not 16-years-old until February 8, Aisling pushed out a number of other
candidates for the award after her exploits across the Atlantic as she set
a
world handball record in the US Junior Championships at Des Moines, Iowa,
during the last week of last year.
Aisling is the first player to have won a US Junior title, in the same
grade, three years in a row as she collected the 2004 Under-15 Singles
Championship with ultimate ease. Not only that but she also won the Under-19
Doubles title, along with Kerry girl Maria Daly, for the second consecutive
season.
"I really enjoyed the trip and, of course, winning again made up
for missing Christmas at home for the third year in a row," says
Aisling. "Then I couldn't believe it when I heard about winning
this Merit Award. I didn't even know it was available to me."
The teenager pips our former youngest winner, Monaghan footballer Edel Byrne
as the youngest winner. Edel won our award for October 1997.
A student at Meanscoil Beal Feirste, Aisling dosen't confine here sporting
talents to handball. She also plays football and camogie with her club,
St
Paul's Belfast, and with her school. And she has already won an Ulster
Schools' hurling medal! However, having passed the 14-age limit she has
had to give up the camán game.
Apart from the US Junior Championship, Aisling is the current All-Ireland
40x20 Under-16 champion, the FBD Irish Nationals Girls 15 titleholder and
the Ulster Schools' 15&Under champion in handball.
For our December award Aisling squeezed out Mayobridge footballer Brendan
Coulter, who starred in the Down Football League final (second month in
a row that he has been runner-up). Others in the running were Charlie Kielt
(Kilrea) who was excellent during the St Paul's O'Neill's-sponsored Ulster
Minor Football Tournament and Armagh Cuchulainn's hurler Donal Coulter who
hit 16 points - 10 from play - in the Ulster Minor semi-final.
As her award, Aisling receives a sports voucher from Tennent's
Ireland, an engraved Belleek China vase, training gear from
Pro*Star Sport and a
specially designed pendant from Omeath firm Cloicín. The presentation
was made in Belfast by Key Accounts Manager Terry McCourt on January 12.
Aisling will be also receive two tickets and overnight accommodation for
our annual banquet next November.
